REBUILDING HOPE - Home - SEEDS India...rebuilding hope. This sentiment reflected in our mason and plumbing training with women, challenging entrenched social norms. It shone through

REBUILDING HOPE

Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society

Annual Report | 2015-16

SEEDS

PHOTOGRAPHS : SEEDS TeamAakash Vishwakarma | Sarika Gulati | Siddharth Behl |

Saferworld Communications | www.saferworld.inDESIGN :

Illustration: Samantha Horn

Innovating for a safer future

MESSAGEDear Friends,

This year has really showcased experiences of both building andrebuilding hope.

This sentiment reflected in our mason and plumbing training withwomen, challenging entrenched social norms. It shone through as wecontinued work on getting children back to school in Kashmir andUttarakhand. It was harnessed in the collective power of communities– from dealing with unprecedented flood events in events in Chennaito adaptation measures in Saharsa, Bihar.

Finally, hope was illuminated in our shared humanity, not just withcommunities in India, but in Nepal after the devastating earthquakesthat shook the country.

I am pleased to share with you wonderful news on completion of ourearly recovery efforts in Nepal. Over 2500 families across 10 of theworst affected districts are now sheltered in strong homes. These werebuilt themselves, with material, designs and handholding support thatwe could provide to them. We have been able to do so only due toinnovative multi-pronged partnerships; and the overwhelmingresponse we received from our friends and supporters in India.

Across programmes, SEEDS has maintained close partnerships with keygovernment institutions and the private sector, based on a joint approach toaddressing problems. Risk reduction and developmental linkages featurestrongly in all our efforts to reduce underlying vulnerabilities.

Unfortunately, such disaster risks continue to affect millions of lives everyyear in our region and the impact is only growing more unpredictable. Ourwork continues to be critical. We thank all our donors, partners, volunteersand friends who have extended their generous support. It is your trust andthe overwhelming response from the communities that we serve that allowsus to continue working towards a safer and more sustainable world.

Warm Regards

Manu GuptaExecutive Director2016

CONTENTS01 VISION AND APPROACH

03

05

06

RESPONDING TO

AFFECTED COMMUNITIES

Nepal Earthquake Response

Chennai Flood Response

07

09

13

BUILDING BACK HOMES

Nepal Earthquake Reconstruction

Rebuilding Chennai

15

17

21

NAVED-E-SEHER: Jammu & Kashmir FloodReconstruction Initiative

REBUILDING UTTARAKHAND: School Reconstruction

REBUILDING SCHOOLS AND EDUCATING

FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

23

25 Building Resilience of Disaster-affected Families in Saharsa

HELPING COMMUNITIES ADAPT

FOR RESILIENCE

27

42

43

33

29

35

37

39

40

41

IMPARTING SKILLS TO BUILD SAFELY

Support to Training and EmploymentProgramme (STEP) for Women

PARTNERING AND INNOVATING

FOR CHANGE

Sendai Spring Campaign

Towards Permanence: A Shelter Study

Frontline

Report on Voices of Older People

Asian Disaster Reduction andResponse Network

OUR PARTNERS

BALANCE SHEET

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CNN-IBN Indian of the year 2010 for Public Service

Drukpa Award 2011

UNFCCC 2013 Momentum of Change Lighthouse award

Best film award in the Climate Change Adaptation category at Asia Ministerial Conference forDisaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016

Recognised as Sendai Target Champion for reducing disaster mortality by UNISDR

GuideStar India NGO Transparency award 2016 (Gold Level)

ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS

AWARDS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sustainable Environment & Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) was incorporated on January31, 1994 as a voluntary organisation under the Societies Act 1860. SEEDS is registered underSection 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961 of India. SEEDS also receives foreign contributions and hasbeen granted registration under Foreign Contributions Regulation Act (FCRA). The permission isvalid uptil 2021, after which the renewal will be done again.

SEEDS undertakes various projects, so the accounting is done project wise. It maintains threeseparate set of books of accounts. The first set of books is to comply with the requirements ofForeign Contributions Regulation Act and accounts for contributions & expenses on foreigncontribution projects. The second set of books is for local projects and office overheads and thethird set of books is for international projects.

Besides compliance under various accounting standards issued by the Institute of CharteredAccountants of India, SEEDS also maintains its accounts as per the requirements of donororganisations. SEEDS financial year commences on April 1 of every year and ends on March 31 ofthe subsequent year. It follows accrual basis of accounting and has a centralised accountingsystem maintained at the Head Office.

An independent auditor audits all accounts of SEEDS every year. As per law, SEEDS submits yearlystatement of Foreign Contributions to the Ministry of Home Affairs. We also submit yearly incometax returns to the Government of India along with a balance sheet covering all projects andactivities. Close monitoring of all project budgets is done based on the monthly reporting ofexpenses and progress of projects.

Dr. V. K. Sharma - President

Dr. Manu Gupta - Vice President

Dr. Anshu Sharma - Secretary

Prof. J.H. Ansari - Member

Mrs. Manjusha Gupta - Member

Prof. Rajesh Bheda - Member

Dr. Rajib Shaw - Member

Dr. R. Kuberan - Member

APPROACHVISION &

VISION

MISSION

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Resilient Communities

Equipping the most vulnerable withappropriate tools and technologies,sharing knowledge and skills andpromoting linkages among stakeholdersto prevent loss of life and suffering.

Prompt in our action

Identify and reach out to the mostvulnerable

Facilitate community participationin decision making

Adapt to local and culturalenvironment

Non-discriminatory in our approach

Focus on individuals

Promote excellence

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SEEDS is a member of and signatory to:

Humanitarian Accountability Partnership(HAP)

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The Code of Conduct for International RedCross and Red Crescent Movement

SPHERE Standard in Humanitarian Aid

The International Council of VoluntaryAgencies

Asian Disaster Reduction and ResponseNetwork (ADRRN)

Humanitarian Accountability Partnership(HAP)

Active Learning Network for Accountabilityand Performance (ALNAP)

The Humanitarian Accountability Partnership(HAP) is an international standard ofaccountability for humanitarian organisations.It is based on six main benchmarks: Humanitarianquality management; transparency; beneficiaryparticipation; staff competencies; complaintshandling and continual improvement. SEEDS isnow a HAP certified organisation and hascommitted itself to HAP's general principles forhumanitarian work.

01 ANNUAL REPORT | 2015-2016

From our humanitarian response and early recovery programmes to reconstruction, training andinnovation activities, SEEDS takes a long-term and inter-connected approach to its work.

SEEDS takes a broader and integrated approach to ensure maximum impact. Our housing andschool construction projects are all customised and look at key related elements. As appropriatethis includes elements around clean water, sanitation access and hygiene; livelihoodenhancement; behaviour change and awareness campaigns; and mason training.

SEEDS pushes the use of local (and where possible natural) materials and integrates moderndisaster-resistance techniques with traditional practices. As appropriate, this has includedbamboo, wood, stone, mud, CGI sheeting, traditional grasses and often the use of salvagedmaterial in the aftermath of a disaster. This approach of melding with the local culture, rather thanimporting foreign materials, helps decrease the carbon footprint and has social benefits.

OUR APPROACH TO BUILDING SAFER AND MORE SUSTAINABLECOMMUNITIES

Integrated approach

Community-led to ensure skill transfer

Locally appropriate and sustainable

All of SEEDS' initiatives are driven by the community, with particular focus on involving women.All stakeholders, including the local government, are actively involved in the process, ensuringshared responsibility. Adopting such an approach during reconstruction helps make the processas meangingful as the final structure.

02ANNUAL REPORT | 2015-2016

RESPONDING TOAFFECTED COMMUNITIES

Asia, the most disaster prone continent, experiencedmore than half of the world's major disasters in the lasthalf century. SEEDS acts with urgency to save lives andget affected communities back on their feet. We focuson emergency tents and early recovery housing as thesituation demands. Related non-food items – utensils,blankets and essential hygiene items are also addressed.

This is carried out with due regard for human dignity,respect for local cultures and values and accountabilitytowards all stakeholders. Perhaps most importantly, weaim to start the recovery and reconstruction processfrom the very first day. Through it all, SEEDS continuesto contribute and advocate for better coordinated andimproved quality of response at all levels.

On April 25th, 2015, a catastrophic 7.6 magnitudeearthquake struck Nepal. It was followed by more than300 aftershocks and another 6.8 magnitude earthquake17 days later. Lives and buildings alike were shattered;affecting an estimated 8 million people.

In the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, peoplewere living out in the open. The relief distribution processhelped meet the most urgent needs of the most vulnerablepeople; providing protection from the elements in the faceof inclement weather.

Identifying those most in need of help from among theaffected communities is often a challenge. A rigorousselection process helped in this. Priority was given to thosemost vulnerable within the selected areas – from aneconomic, social, age, gender or disability viewpoint.

Each family kit was an integrated package that took care ofthe shelter, hygiene and cooking needs of a family. A fewtents were also set up as emergency schools, withadditional teaching materials and student kits. Having thesebasics in place helped families get back to a normal routineand brought about a feeling of well-being.

The initiative reached out to 636 families across 9 wards ofJhangajoli village in Sindhuli district.

Being one of the first interventions in a very long-termrecovery delivery process, it also helped create a foundation.It set and established benchmarks; promoting principles foremergency relief, local and cultural appropriateness ofmaterial and a strong regard for human dignity.

NEPAL EARTHQUAKERESPONSE



CHENNAI FLOOD RESPONSEThe non-stop torrential rains in two consecutive spells in November and December 2015 broughtthe urban life of Chennai to a standstill. Over 400,000 people were affected by the worst floodingwitnessed by the state in the last 100 years.

In the immediate aftermath of the floods, extensive relief operations reached out to 7328 familiesresiding in low-income areas of Chennai: Jamalia Lane, Gouthaman Nagar, Viyasarpadi Madhastreet, Sathiyamoorthy Nagar, Annai sathya Nagar, Madhavaram, Chandadripet, Pallavan Nagar &Pumping Station, Madhavaram II and Jamalia Lane II.

Hygiene kits comprising essential utilities like shoes, mosquito repellents, mosquito coils and bathsoaps were distributed. For near real time monitoring, a mobile application was used for collectionof data and geo-tagging of every family receiving our support.

BUILDING BACK HOMES

The reconstruction process is an opportunity not just to restore whatwas lost, but to help the community better withstand future disasters.

Once the immediate humanitarian response is over and the disaster isno longer in the news, communities are mostly left to recover alone.Families cannot survive in tents alone until government schemesmaterialise. Rather than risking unsafe rebuilding, SEEDS works withthe most vulnerable families to create transitional shelters. Thesefollow cultural norms, often using materials that are local. Theyincorporate disaster reduction techniques. These homes are thefoundation towards permanent housing.

Our sustainable housing model refers to shelters that are culturally apt,environmentally suitable, safe and secure. Continuous engagementwith emerging architects and engineers on indigenous designs andtechnologies complements this approach. Bridging the gap betweenknowledge and practice, SEEDS also trains local masons andconstruction workers on retrofitting and safe construction practices.

NEPAL EARTHQUAKERECONSTRUCTION

The 2015 Nepal earthquake (and subsequent aftershocks)caused severe damage to houses and public buildings.People were forced to reside in open areas under tents ortemporary structures. In Nepal, where many families also runstores from their homes, building back was not just a matterof shelter, but also livelihood. So rather than risking unsaferebuilding, we worked with the most vulnerable families tocreate transitional shelters.

The house itself was designed keeping in mind earthquakestability and resilience; as well as local climactic conditions.The material choices including bamboo, CGI sheet, GI wire,mud and stone, are frequently used locally and are not aliento the community. With features such as cross bracing andthe very lightness of the walls themselves, it is both safe andsustainable. Local building techniques were incorporated toensure long-term acceptance and replication.

The strong, highly-engineered design was then brokendown into a simple step-by-step process. These easy-to-useguides meant families learned to build on their own.Trained house owners from one village then actuallybecame the trainers for other communities. This made iteasy to replicate and scale up in a rapid manner.

The process was entirely owner driven, whereby a memberof the family was trained to construct their house andnecessary guiding material was provided. Numerous teamsoperated simultaneously to ensure construction wascompleted in the least possible time.

In fact, the building was a unique grassroots cooperation ofconstruction artisans locally and across the border fromBihar. In terms of livelihood, more than 100 masons fromBihar were trained and earned a living due to theintervention.

The owner-driven process was backed with a strongmulti-pronged partnership. This included local private sectorwho helped with supply chains (Chaudhary Foundation),a consulting firm who led on monitoring (PwC India),technical partners (NSET) and of course SEEDS who led withdesign and oversaw the process. This showcased a uniquemodel of cooperation that can be emulated. Without theinvolvement of each strategic partner, it would not havebeen possible to achieve the efficiencies of cost and scale;or to create lasting impact.


KATHMANDU

BHAKTAPUR

KAVREPALANCHOK

RAMECHHAP

LALITPUR

SINDHUPALCHOK

DOLAKHANUWAKOT

GORKHA

DHADING

BURUNCHULI

LUKUNDOLE

5224

NEGAL

NAGADAHA

BHEDE

CHHAP

MARBUTAR

6221

1544

68

RALUKADEVI 53

CHANGUNARAYAN 60

JALBIRE 65VHIMTAR 118 BIMRENI 30 MAJH GAUN 26

GAIRI GAUN 23 LOKHANDADA TOLE 17

BHIRKUNNA 50 DADAGHAR 25

NEPALI TOLE DHAMAN GOAN 18

GHIDHANE 100 HARE DARA 12 TIN DHUNGE 15SHIRAN TOLE 30

DOLALGHATWard 1-3

18Ward 4-5

56Ward 6-7

73Ward 8-9

53

MANTHALI

Ward 16

63Ward 12

70

Ward 4

81Ward 1

29Ward 12

69

MAHADEVSTHANWard 9

139

MACHCHEGAON 70PARIGAON 30

KUMPUR 01 98KUMPUR 04 68

GHAIRUNG 50TAKLUNG 50

Ward 1

15

Ward 1-9

266

Ward 2

60Ward 7

25

KHANEKHOLE

BASERI

KHARANITAR 112OKHARPAUWA 80

We've helped 2520 families (approximately 17,640 people) across

10 districts in Nepal build and move into a new transitional home.


Working with the local administration and VillageDevelopment Committees, four semi-permanent schoolswere constructed. These are located across four differentwards of Naubise, Dhading district. Together they gave 128students back their schools.

The school design was a real challenge for architects andengineers. It had to fulfill the usage needs, be safe, be timeand cost-effective, but also had to be feasible to build inareas with poor or no accessibility! The team opted for amodular design with a pre-fabricated MS tubular structure,a combination of poles and trusses with CGI roof and infillwalls. This not only helped the construction to be quick andcost effective, but facilitated ease of transport.

SCHOOLS

Families in Naubise also faced critical issues beyond shelterand food needs. From water scarcity to sitting places tohygiene, these efforts were again community-led.Committees were formed for each initiative, often headed bywomen, which conducted real time monitoring and oversawthe process.

People across Naubise were grappling with the shortage ofdrinking water. Following the earthquake, roads had shiftedand natural springs were damaged beyond repair. With thehelp of community members, two underground waterreservoirs were constructed. Labour, stone and basic rawmaterial for construction was provided by the communities.The improved access to water has saved families time(in walking to collect water) and money.

WATER

AND HYGIENE

Helping lift the community's spirits also meant the need forplaces to gather and engage. Community sittingarrangements were built at two different locations.The entire idea for the seating place came from thecommunity. Every mason was allotted their area to exploreand mould. The team took their experience with stone to thenext level, showing their creativity. No two benches werealike. When challenges of daily work arose, the communityagain came up with a solution. A rooster of groups wascreated as per their working pattern and routine. Today,these spaces witness smiles, laughter and togetherness likenever before.

COMMUNITY

SPACES


MORE THAN HOMES

RAPID SCALING, TRANSFERRING SKILLS AND

EMPOWERING WOMEN

For the first time, a post-disaster constructioninitiative put the community in the driving seat onsuch a large scale. The emphasis was not just ongiving houses, but on 'learning to build moresafely’. This embedding of skills within thecommunity will help inculcate safer andenvironment friendly construction techniques inthe future, reducing dependence on outsidemasons.

The creation of a strong multi-pronged partnership(private sector – consultancy – NGO) createdefficiencies of cost and scale and lasting impact.

2520 families across 10 districts were enabled tobuild a safe and sustainable house. 128 childrengot back their schools. Over 14,000 people haveadditionally benefitted directly and indirectlythrough WASH trainings, restored water reservoirsand community sitting spaces.

Women were at the centre of each part of theinitiative; from house building to monitoringcommittees to WASH rallies. For several, thismarked the first time they stepped out of theircommunities; even convincing their families to letthem serve as trainers for other villages.

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REBUILDINGCHENNAI

In the aftermath of the 2015 floods, housing became achallenge for numerous low-income families. After carefulconsideration of the needs, Madhavaram was chosen asthe intervention area. Unlike other slums in Chennai, thiscommunity had received little assistance from thegovernment. Located on the outskirts of NorthernChennai, Madhavaram is a former village that is nowconsidered an urban local body. Largely from marginalisedcommunities (scheduled castes), families here primarilyearn though daily wage labour. The high incidences ofalcoholism and young widows render the community evenmore vulnerable.

Homes here were mainly thatch huts that had weakenedwith the long-standing water. Some had collapsedcompletely and those standing were filled with muck,making it inhabitable for families. Yet, with nowhere else togo, some families were actually still living in the water.The transitional housing process started in February 2016.

After detailed surveys in partnership with the MadrasSchool of Social Work, selection process of the most-needyfamilies was begun. There was an emphasis onwomen-headed households, people with disabilities, theelderly and those truly unable to recover on their own.The shelter design had to be quick to build, low-cost andcomfortable to live in. At the same time, the tight spacesmeant that each home had to be customised in sizeaccording to the land available with the family. Marketsurveys were done to assess available local resources andskills. Based on this, the design process began,incorporating pre-fabricated elements of RCC pillars andferro-cement panels to quicken the process.



REBUILDING SCHOOLS AND EDUCATINGFOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Disasters cause disproportionately high damage to schoolinfrastructure and re-establishing education is one of the keypriorities.

For a school is more than a building. It's a place for children to learn,to play, to be safe, to be inspired and to grow. In the aftermath of adisaster, it is also one of the most important ways for them to heal.

Our efforts are not just to rebuild, but to upgrade school buildings.Existing school structures are strengthened through retrofitting.For safer schools mean safer communities.

This is complemented by school safety and preparedness initiatives.The programme works to ensure that the school community isbetter equipped to respond and involves the neighbouringcommunities. This includes training on life saving skills, effectiveresponse and the development of school disaster managementplans. SEEDS also works with frontline workers to build theircapacity to deal with and respond to disaster risks.

NAVED-E-SEHER: Jammu& Kashmir FloodReconstruction Initiative

In the first week of September 2014, the state of Jammuand Kashmir, India, experienced the worst flood that it hadseen in 60 years. The incessant rain gave rise to a swellingJhelum river and its tributaries. The valley is a lakebed, butas the state has been built up, its chain of natural wetlandshas rapidly disappeared. With nowhere for the water to go,flooding took place in a matter of few hours, leavingalmost no time for people to evacuate.

Following its relief and house rebuilding activities, SEEDSturned its attention to schools. With a basic model in place,an interactive consultation session was held at each schoolto incorporate the students' suggestions and the teachers'requirements into the final design. Conducted throughdiscussion, drawing session and answering queries, thekey observations were then integrated into the design.The schools were designed with disaster resilient featuresin line with INEE (Inter Agency Network for Education inEmergency) norms and all applicable building codes.Seismic resistance features were added as J&K lies in zoneIV and V (highly earthquake prone).


GI SHEET

T.O.ROOF

T.O.BEAM

T.O.SILL

T.O.BEAM

T.O.SILL

PLINTH

GROUND

COLUMN OF TIMBER

OR M.S.PIPECORRIDOR

CORRIDOR

LVL+8.15M

LVL+6.55M

LVL 4.50M

LVL+4.05M

LVL+1.35M

LVL+0.90M

LVL+00M

ROOF TRUSS

ROOF PITCH23°

AS PER STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

GIRLSTOILET

PLAYAREA

RAMP1:10

Operational and resource challenges posed by the locations meant thataspects of the design were iterated through the construction process.However, the core aspect of structural safety and the spirit of simplicity,spaciousness and smiles were always retained. Exposed brickwork, highceilings, large windows and artful incorporation of timber gave bothschools a distinct visual identity. The designs reflected vernacularapproaches and local construction techniques. At the same time, basicfurniture including desks, tables, chairs, blackboard and cupboards wereprovided to ensure ease of use.

With no provision of safe and clean drinking water at the schools, ROfilters were installed and drinking water facilities added. With sanitationalso being a major concern, separate boys and girls toilet units were alsoconstructed, adding to the comfort level.LE

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The openness, light, playfulnessand local material choicesintegrated into the design wereall more conducive to betterstudy. The final schoolsgenerated curiosity among thecommunity to further use thesetechniques and even resulted innew enrolments!

The initiative went beyond brick and mortar alone. Over the course of reconstruction, the School Management Committeewas oriented on the intervention and disaster risk reduction practices. Both students and teachers were trained on basicdos and don'ts during an emergency. Task forces on first aid, fire safety, search and rescue and early warning were createdin the neighboring community. These didn't just increase ownership, but also bolstered a feeling of confidence, creatingthe beginning of linkages to broader community disaster management planning.

In Wani Batoo village, the destroyed primary schoolbuilding was the sole educational facility for a number ofvillages. Classes were being conducted in the house of aschool teacher. There was an acute need for a properschool building, but the education department did nothave adequate resources to do this restoration. Further,since the school was located in a remote location it wasoverlooked by other civil society organisations working onschool restoration in the area.

The school's risky location on the edge of the river andstructural assessments of the remaining buildings forcedone conclusion – the school had to be relocated. The newsite in Nowdal village, government-owned land with anadjacent CRPF base camp, was found after many obstacles.Donated for the student's welfare, it was also just akilometre away from the old school, ensuring that thestudents didn't have to travel further.

The building integrated five big classrooms. Largewindows and doors brought in plenty of natural light andair. An artistic staircase led to an open area on the upperfloor. This kind of open area serves multiple purposes inthis location. Not just play and prayer, but as a place toteach in the sunshine in winter months wheretemperatures drop below freezing.

Primary School,Gulab Bagh Wanibatoo


Upper Primary School, HajibalFor the Government Upper Primary School, Hajibal Village, Pulwama district, prolonged inundation hadcaused extensive damage. The school's 70 students studied in class VI to VIII. With six rooms divided into threeblocks, five were used as classrooms and one as an office. Detailed assessments showed that four rooms couldbe salvaged, but two were damaged beyond repair and needed to be completely rebuilt. These covered anarea of roughly 750 sq. ft.

Armed with go-aheads from the Education Ministry who also helped clear the rubble, the construction of anew block began.


REBUILDING

UTTARAKHAND:

School Reconstruction

In June 2013, a cloudburst and torrential rainfall led tomassive flooding and landslides in Uttarakhand. Schoolswere badly impacted and school administrations were stillstruggling to cope. Based on discussions withcommunities, local/state administration and otheragencies, they emerged as a focal point for SEEDS'restoration phase of rebuilding Uttarakhand.

For children were forced to study in unsafe class roomsand with hardly any facilities. This inadequacy was also acontributing factor to school dropouts and migration.

This reconstruction process planned to demonstrateconstruction techniques for safe school buildings in aregion which is highly vulnerable to earthquakes andfloods. Therefore efforts are also being made to build thecapacities of local workmen.

The first phase of school rebuilding took place in 14-15.In March 2015, the designing process began for five moreschools in Rudraprayag district. The buildings show hownatural elements can be used to enhance the learningexperience as well as influence local school design.The buildings will integrate risk reduction measures andsanitation facilities, raising resilience levels for children.

Along with the physical building, a number of awarenessand training components were carried out on schoolsafety. These include risk identification, preparation ofschool disaster management plan, training on first aid,search & rescue and fire safety and practicing mock drills.



HELPING COMMUNITIES ADAPTFOR RESILIENCE

Often communities face multi-faceted problems that requirea pre-emptive approach. Growing impacts of climate change,unplanned urbanisation and underlying risks add to thisvulnerability. SEEDS is committed to empowering localcommunities to better withstand these risks; making themleaders in building their own resilience.

This overall resilience perspective includes elements such asadapting for livelihood security; managing and mitigatingfinancial and environmental risks; access to clean water;and advocacy for change.

Community-led forums have brought together people fromvarious walks of life to take up neighbourhood issues andadvocate with local governments for change. These forumsact as a collective learning and action hub to reduceday-to-day stresses. They also create an enablingenvironment to strengthen government-citizen partnership.

BUILDING RESILIENCEOF DISASTER-AFFECTEDFAMILIES IN SAHARSA

In low -ying villages of the Kosi belt, communities areextremely vulnerable to disasters. There are high levels ofpoverty, limited infrastructure and education and a strongcaste structure. These communities often have little access tobasic needs of food, shelter and water. The conditionsbecome even more dire in the heavy monsoon periodswhen floods are common.

10 hamlets of Sonbarsa block located in the flood pronedistrict of Saharsa, Bihar, were selected as the interventionarea.

All the 10 hamlets are characterised by high proportions ofunemployment and migration. This is largely becauseagriculture is difficult due to recurring floods and lack ofskills makes it difficult for people to find a job in nearbytowns. In this northern belt of Bihar, an alternativeoccupation is of bamboo artisans and masons. Traditionallybamboo was a common construction material, but therewas a need to upgrade knowledge of disaster resilientconstruction. 91 bamboo masons were trained under theproject, covering basic techniques, bamboo treatment, safeconstruction practices and hands-on demonstrations ofjoinery.

The project area faces major challenges with safe drinkingwater. The key source is hand pumps, but the water isunhygienic and high on arsenic content, posing serioushealth risks especially amongst children. After studyingvarious technologies, Terafil filters were chosen as the bestoption.

SEEDS technical team undertook training with the Instituteof Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswarto understand the technology and its nuances forcommunity use, based upon which the system wasdesigned.

The filtration disk is produced through a mix of ordinary redclay, river sand and saw dust, without the use of anychemicals. The mixture is sintered at high temperaturesleaving large pores in between. The filtered material clogsthe top surface of the terafil over time and can be scrubbedoff easily to reopen the pores. The terafil filters remove turbidparticles, iron and bad odour from the water. While the diskcan be made in any shape, circular is preferred due to highstrength and easy maintenance.


Five filters were created, each with a capacity of1000 litres per day. Together, they serve620 families (over 1800 people). Low-cost andhigh strength with a long operational life and noelectricity required makes it a very feasiblesolution for these communities.

In order to help increase food security, theconcept of 'grain banks' was also introduced.This helps to ensure that the community cansustain themselves during the initial days after adisaster strikes; or in times of personal crisis for aparticular family. One grain bin, two quintals ofrice and two quintals of wheat been distributed tofive Disaster Management Committees (DMC) offive hamlets respectively. 40 women are involvedin grain bank activities in each hamlet.


IMPARTING SKILLS TO BUILD SAFELY

Bridging the gap between knowledge and practice,SEEDS trains local masons and construction workers onretrofitting and safe construction practices. This is doneonsite during reconstruction programmes and throughthe SEEDS Academy. It imparts fundamental skills andknowledge of disaster-resistant techniques toconstruction workers. The SEEDS Masons Association,which began in Patanka after the 2001 Gujaratearthquake is slowly expanding. Members of SMA havesince worked on our reconstruction projects in theAndamans, Kashmir, Bihar, Ladakh, Nepal and TamilNadu.

SUPPORT TO TRAININGAND EMPLOYMENTPROGRAMME (STEP)FOR WOMEN

The underlying theme of SEEDS Mason Academy aims tobuild a skilled construction workforce, including women,while helping formalise the largely informal sector oflabour and construction workers in India.

Savda Ghevra JJ Colony, where the Academy is located, is aresettlement colony on the outskirts of Delhi establishedin 2006. It houses around 8000 families, but infrastructureis sub-standard. Families are culturally conservative andsurvive mainly on daily wage jobs.

The Support to Training and Employment Programme forWomen (STEP) was run under the Ministry of Women andChild Development initiative. The vision was to helpwomen boost their skills and get employed. Such jobplacement was an insistent attempt of the Academy,enhancing income and subsequently the quality of life.At the same time, this was an effort to instil confidenceand a can-do attitude among women who had doubtedthemselves for a long time.

There were two relevant and demand based courses ofassistant mason and plumber general (helper). Themodules were designed after a thorough assessment ofthe skills required and needed in the market. The rigorous864-hour curriculum emphasised basic theory ofmeasurements and drawings, safe and economicalconstruction practices, as well as introducing softer skillsof communications. This was aligned with the NationalOccupational Standards as per National Skill DevelopmentCorporation (NSDC) and National Skill QualificationFramework (NSQF).


The process of identifying trainees was done throughdoor-to-door visits and community focus group discussionmeetings after which both experienced and novicewomen were enrolled. Committed, passionate anddiligent, these women trainees challenged multiple socialbarriers. Juggling between work, home and children, thesewomen equipped themselves with new skills. One of themajor challenges was finding a suitable time, withoutcompromising daily wages. Understanding the situation,SEEDS therefore came up with evening/night classes from6 pm to 9 pm.

Many women had limited formal education. However, thiswas not seen as a hindrance to learning, encouragingmore creative ways to impart training. The programmesran with a combination of audio-video lectures,presentations and practical sessions that enabled womenfrom all levels of education to grasp the concepts.

A 5-star grading and certification system was introduced,based on theory and practical tests. Most women in thecourse met the 3-star benchmark.

Following a holistic method from enrolment to placement,the academy not only provided classroom training, butengaged the students in field visits and internships, givingthem opportunities to learn on ground. The internshipperiod of one month post the training bolstered theirexperiences of work and diversified their knowledge.

Working in collaboration with Delhi Urban ShelterImprovement Board (DUSIB), the trainees from SEEDSMason Academy were taken to their project sites as part offield visits and were later associated with them as interns.12 trainees have completed their internship and are in theprocess of placement.


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BUT A PASSION TO LEARN

Between August 2015 andMarch 2016, 96 women enrolledin theSTEP programme.

While many joined the academyin hopes of better workopportunities, there were othersfor whom these classes weremore than just skill training.They found a sense of purposehere.

The presence of other women inlarge numbers provided securityand unity of goal in achievingwhat others had doubted. Thesimple fact that this academycould make them self-sufficientand equip them with the basicsto fix their own homes was initself a life altering (andmoney-saving) opportunity.


PARTNERING AND INNOVATINGFOR CHANGE

Understanding local knowledge andbroader trends is essential to apply freshinput to on-ground projects. SEEDS'programmes are supported by strategicpartnerships and innovative actionresearch. It cooperates and networks withallied groups for knowledge exchange andto reach out more broadly. At the sametime, it conducts research and experimentswith innovations.

SENDAI SPRINGCAMPAIGN

In the run-up to the World Conference on DRR, the Road toSendai campaign (www.roadtosendai.net) helped amplifylocal successes that linked to HFA and voices of what thegeneral public wanted to see in the new framework. Withoutreach to over seven million people in 55 countries theoutcome only reinforced that communities do not perceiveor experience risks in isolation. Problems on the ground aremulti-faceted and inter-linked, failing to fit neatly intosectoral boxes. This has meant that some of the key issuesexacerbating vulnerability fall through the cracks.

For the first time and in a marked change, echoes of thisthought reverberate across the post-2015 frameworks.The Sendai Framework for Action, SustainableDevelopment Goals, Paris Agreement, the WorldHumanitarian Summit report and Habitat III allcross-reference each other, looking at underlying risks andcross-cutting issues.

Keeping these insights and needs in mind, Sendai Spring(www.sendaispring.net) was conceptualised as anaction-oriented campaign on turning risk to resilience,helping to catalyse change at the frontlines.


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FOR LOCAL 'RESILIENCE' ACTION

In rare unity, practitioners fromthe development, climate change,disaster and private sectors allcame together to discuss theirnational 'resilience' priorities. Itwas a chance to break sectoralbarriers and spread knowledge ofglobal frameworks.

Through the workshops'participants, the campaign hasreached out to representatives ofover 130 different organisations inIndia, Bangladesh, Nepal andSri Lanka. This includes local CSOs,INGOs, private sector companies,media outlets, academicinstitutions and individual experts.

Scaling up the initiative, similarnational workshops are being heldby ADRRN partners in Pakistan,Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam andthe Philippines.

Sendai Spring looked at three main aims:

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De-mystify and widely circulate the concept of SFDRR andother post-2015 frameworks to improve understanding amongvarious stakeholders.

Encourage communities around the world to take and voiceinnovative resilience measures

Attempt to link with other upcoming frameworks throughoutreach to help ensure that local action is cohesive and notdone in silos

The campaign spread awareness of these frameworks among localleaders and civil society, breaking them down for inter-linkedresilience action and to catalyse change at the frontlines.

National level workshops were held across four South Asiancountries – Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The workshopsaimed to deliberate on the way forward to implement these globalframeworks in each national context and the role that CSOs canplay in making them real. These workshops brought togetherdevelopment, disaster, climate change, humanitarian, government,media and private sector actors. Joint discussion was held onresilience priorities, challenges and action planning. It's been astart for 'resilience' thinking.

A key point that underscored all discussions was the level at whichsuch resilience building is best achieved - sub-national. The secondleg of Sendai Spring will hence looks at ways to empower localleadership.


TOWARDS PERMANENCE:A Shelter Study

In the wake of a disaster, shelter response and recoveryremains a challenge for the humanitarian sector. As theintensity and frequency of disasters continues to grow, anumber of diverse organisations are running shelterinterventions. While adhering to basic humanitarianprinciples, each often follows its own idea, resulting in majorvariations of approach, targeting, process and output.At times, the post-disaster imperatives of rapid deployment,large scale and low-cost result in one-size-fits-all optionsthat don't fit the context and need. At others, interventionsdriven by sustainability and local appropriateness struggleto meet time frames or demand. The general norm has alsobeen to create a new structure at each phase.

A set of guidelines was thus critically required to streamlinethe process of shelter response; helping to make efficientand appropriate decisions.

The report's guidelines were primarily drawn from apan-India shelter study conducted by SEEDS. The studyaimed to learn from indigenous architecture andpost-disaster shelter design in a methodological manner.Its premise was that shelter is primarily designed accordingto its material and physical conditions. The study firstdeveloped ten shelter zones across India, constituted fromtheir geo-climatic, hazard, and materials context. Withinthese zones, shelter features were identified from disasterresilient and culturally appropriate shelter practices. A totalof 35 shelter typologies were investigated. The study paidclose attention to both the structural characteristics whichprimarily mitigate hazard risk, and the climate-adaptivecharacteristics which mitigate climate vulnerabilities.The shelter survey also catalogued how local materials andmason skills were incorporated and reflected in eacharchitectural form. The result was a matrix of ten shelterzones pan-India and corresponding appropriate shelterfeatures per zone.

Based on the pan-India study, a universal shelter design hasbeen developed. It is a simplified modular system to meetthe demand of speed and scalability at low cost. The flexibledesign solution can adapt itself to different geo-climaticconditions, by changing the material of structural frame andwall infill. It is a progressive solution that can transform itselfwith time. From a quick emergency shelter, it grows to be ahome!

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Shelter response continues to be a challenge for the humanitarian sector. The research and design of thissimple, sustainable, adaptable and scalable transitional shelter model brings a fresh perspective.It's shifting the conversation towards permanence!


FRONTLINE

Frontline – turning community views into action is a globalparticipatory action-research project undertaken inconjunction with government bodies and localcommunities. SEEDS is handling the India dimension.The thrust was to identify various climatic, geographicaland hazard zones – in order to develop actions that wouldhelp build community resilience designed in a contextspecific manner. Six risk zones were identified includingAssam, Bihar and Odisha (East), Uttarakhand and Delhi(North) and Tamil Nadu (South).

Following the interactive 6-state study, a pattern emerged.The priority threats including waste, pollution,unemployment and water pollution spoke of issues thatgo beyond just DRR, encompassing macro concepts ofsustainable development and climate change. Clearly,communities perceive threats in a much wider net and thiswas telling of the gaps between perception and policy.Therefore, widening the horizon of risks as we understandit appeared to be the need of the hour

A pan India workshop organised in New Delhi in January2016 provided a platform to discuss and gain a nationalperspective on the study results and the opportunities totake them forward. It brought together an array ofparticipants from different corners of India (varied riskzones). Linking with the ongoing Sendai Spring campaign,the workshop was also unique in bringing togetherexperts and practitioners from different fields. Moreover, itthrew open the floor to explore opportunities, big andsmall, within the new international frameworks.

Drawing from experiences and learning from both thestudy and the workshop, shows the need for greatermulti-stakeholder engagement, local level advocacy andpublic awareness. This fundamentally carved the pathwayfor next phase of the programme.

Two out of the six surveyed districts in India have beenidentified, in the urban state of Delhi and the rural state ofBihar for in-depth activities. These will be based on keythreats and actions as identified by the communities.


The elderly constitute over 11 per cent of the totalglobal population and this number is likely to double inby 2050. A study of their vulnerability and wisdomoffers an opportunity both to reduce the impact ofdisasters by addressing known weaknesses and to applytraditional methods with tested outcomes.

This survey was administered by UNISDR in August2014. 202 responses from the elderly or their caregivers and 136 responses from policy makers andgovernment officials were gathered on issues relating toageing and DRR were gathered. Nearly 40 countriesparticipated in the survey.

The report presents the results of this survey to betterunderstand elderly knowledge and experiences withdisasters, and to inform messages for future campaigns.

REPORT ONVOICES OF OLDER PEOPLE


ASIAN DISASTERREDUCTION & RESPONSENETWORK (ADRRN)

SEEDS is an active member of the Asian Disaster Reductionand Response Network (ADRRN) and currently holds thesecretariat.

2015 -16 was a year of continuing consultation processeson disaster risk reduction and response; and ADRRN was atthe heart of the action. Various consultations were heldand papers developed. The Sendai Spring campaignbrought together different members. ADRRN alsocontinued contributing to the consultation process of theWorld Humanitarian Summit. At the same time, thenetwork continued to form partnerships; and to work onissues related to the promotion of innovative practices,enhancing accountability and a fellowships programmefor capacity building of members in the region. Jointresponse action was carried out for the first time in thewake of the Nepal earthquake.


The various activities carried out by us are made possible through the support of individuals andorganisations. We gratefully acknowledge the financial, material, moral and technical support of thefollowing partners.

Alliance for Adaptation andDisaster Risk Reduction (AADRR)

Asian Disaster Reduction andResponse Network (ADRRN)

Asian Paints

Bata Foundation

BitGiving

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF)

Chaudhary Foundation, Nepal

Christian Aid

CNN-IBN

CSIR-IMMT Bhubaneshwar

Embassy of India, Nepal

Eros Hotels

Eureka Forbes Limited

Give India

Global Network of Civil SocietyOrganisations for DisasterReduction (GNDR)

Godrej

Government of Nepal

Great Eastern Shipping

Herofin Corp.

IBM

Jumbo Group India

Lutheran World Relief (LWR)

Madras School of Social Work

Macquarie

Mahindra Com Viva

Manav Seva Sangh

MERCY Malaysia

Ministry of Home Affairs,Government of India

Ministry of Women and ChildDevelopment, Government ofIndia

National Disaster ManagementAuthority (NDMA)

National Society for EarthquakeTechnology (NSET) Nepal

Owner Driven ReconstructionCollaborative (ODRC)

Pricewaterhouse Coopers India(PwC)

RedFM

SEEDS Asia

Shapoorji Pallonji

Sphere India

Sri Bhuvaneshwari Mahila Ashram(SBMA)

Snap Deal

Super Tannery Limited

Tata Relief Committee

Trafigura

United Way of India (UWI)

UNISDR

Friends of SEEDS and individualdonors


OUR PARTNERS


ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE | BALANCE SHEET


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REBUILDING HOPE - Home - SEEDS India...rebuilding hope. This sentiment reflected in our mason and plumbing training with women, challenging entrenched social norms. It shone through

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